No. 10 Maryland field hockey and No. 13 St. Joseph’s went back-and-forth for nearly the entirety of Sunday’s contest without much offense to show for. The two teams combined for 15 shots, many of which didn’t test the opposing goalkeepers.

After a game where it looked like it could go either way, a late penalty corner gave the Terps one final chance to win the game in regulation, and they took full advantage. 

Maci Bradford passed the ball up top to a trio of Maryland attackers. The ball quickly bounced around the players before Jordyn Holloman found the stick of Ella Gaitan. Without any hesitation, Gaitan ripped a one-timer to the far post past the outstretched goalie. 

Gaitan’s goal off a set play with 32 seconds left fueled the Terps’ thrilling 1-0 win over St. Joseph’s. The victory over the Hawks gives Maryland its first ranked win of the season, moving the Terps to 4-2, while St. Joe’s falls to 3-2.

“That last corner in the last 30 seconds, it was like okay, this is it, we got this,” Gaitan said. “We all felt good on the circle, ready for the corner.”

Maryland has struggled mightily on penalty corners this season, but have put in the work during practice to perfect its designed plays. It paid off in the waning moments on Sunday.

“We’ve been working, working and working on getting locked in,” Meharg said. “We’re getting better and better.”

While the Terps closed the game strong, their start was less than ideal.

Early on, Saint Joseph’s pinned Maryland in its defensive half, taking the ball into the Maryland shooting circle multiple times. Maryland’s defense held strong, though, and denied the Hawks from getting any shots off. 

Both teams were unable to get anything going on the attack throughout the first quarter, trading possession back-and-forth. Neither team was able to get any real chances on goal. 

Despite Djuna Eikelboom receiving a green card late in the opening period, the Terps’ defense didn’t allow the Hawks to take advantage of the player-up situation, as they failed to get any pressure on goal. 

Maryland got the first shot on goal of the game. Annemijn Klijnhout fired the ball at St. Joseph’s goalkeeper Paige Kieft, who made a great save to keep the game scoreless. It was the first save of the game for the former Terp.

St. Joseph’s kept offensive possession for most of the second quarter. The Hawks only mustered one shot that Maryland goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko easily saved. 

Maryland was able to push the ball down the field, earning a corner. The Terps failed to capitalize, as Ella Fehr’s shot was blocked and cleared out by the Hawks.

The Terps played strong defense, not allowing a single penalty corner in the entire first half. Maryland went two halves without conceding a penalty corner, dating back to Friday’s game against Penn.

Both teams started off the second half with fast-paced offensive attacks. However, Maryland settled the game down and held some possession on the St. Joseph’s side of the field.

This possession paid off when Maryland was able to get their second corner of the game in the third quarter. The Terps couldn’t score despite some nice passing that resulted in a shot by Maia Adamson, which sailed wide.

Maryland had another chance on an Ellie Goldstein breakaway, but Milou Kluyt made a great defensive play. The Hawks went right on the counterattack. After pushing the ball towards the Maryland shooting circle, St. Joseph’s was able to earn its first penalty corner.

The Hawks ran a set play for former Terp Adele Jardemar, whose shot was saved by Klebasko. Maryland regained possession and a Bradford shot was saved by Kieft.

After a hectic end of the third quarter, the fourth started the same way. 

Carly Hynd stole a pass and broke towards the Terps’ goal in the opening seconds of the quarter. Maryland’s defense converged on Hynd and neutralized the offensive threat.

The Hawks were on the attack for much of the fourth quarter, keeping pressure on goal. Saint Joseph’s wouldn’t let the Terps gain any possession. 

The Terps gained possession and Djuna Eikelboom’s shot was saved by Kieft. The ball bounced towards Bradford, who could not beat Kieft with her shot.

But Maryland finally broke through late.

Gaitan’s goal was the nail in the coffin in a game the Terps dominated, but couldn’t find much sustained offensive pressure. The first score for either team proved to be the difference as Maryland held on for the 1-0 win.

Maryland will look to continue the momentum as it opens Big Ten play against No. 17 Penn State on Friday.